How to study at University

How school and college are different to university Whether you are coming straight from school or college or have been out of education for a while, it is important to recognise that your last learning experience will be different to university. Some of the typical differences are listed below. This section provides advice on how you can prepare for your first year of study.

School University

When and where students learn Mostly formal study in class Lots of independent study outside the classroom

Time management Time is arranged and managed for you.

The amount of feedback students receive Constant feedback on your progress Time management is selfmanaged Less frequent feedback

Different kinds of information Learning what is already known

Critical and analytical thinking Types of assignments Limited forms of assessment Varied forms of assessment Amount of contact with teaching staff Frequent access to teaching staff Less frequent access to academic staff Kinds of lessons Face to face teaching. Mostly take place in a classroom A range of different classes taught in different ways

Class size

Flexibility Limited class size

Set and coordinated programme. Subjects marry Flexible and varied programme

Classes might be large especially in the first year

Opportunity for assessment Work towards a single set of exams Continued assessment over 3 to 5 year period

What is expected from student work Limited range of acceptable responses Broader range of acceptable responses

Diversity

Hours Students are all the same age and local Contact approx 30 hours a week Students very diverse

Often 12 hours a week

Academic year

Daily study Curriculum 39 weeks divided into 4 terms 26-30 week year divided into 3 terms or 2 semesters

8am-3.30pm Academic and non-academic curriculum 8am-10pm (inc PT study) Academic only

Reading

Notes Short and related to what taught in class Lot of recommended and required reading

Provided with a core text or handouts and take notes Usually take own notes and copy notes themselves

Academic advice on how to prepare for your first year of study The first year on your course should be exciting, rewarding and challenging. We want you to enjoy your subject, gain experience in different ways of thinking and working, and leave with the knowledge and skills that will help you take control of your future. You will be studying new and fascinating ideas in ways that may be very different to those you will be used to. University study involves approaches that you may never have experienced before.

As a first-year student, you will: – Have access to a wide range of resources and support. – Make your own decisions and study topics that really interest you. – Become increasingly independent in your work, yet adept at working with others.

Your patterns of study will vary depending on your degree and your year, but the opportunity to study at the cutting edge of your subject and to commit yourself to achieving your full potential is the same for everyone. Your studies so far will have provided you with a combination of academic and technical knowledge. One of the most important sources of information is your course handbook which contains information on:

– Study support and advice for your course. – Term and examination dates. – Assessments and assessment rules and regulations. – Useful contact numbers for academic and non-academic issues.

There are also key skills that employers are increasingly demanding. You will have already studied a range of disciplines that may not be part of your chosen pathway. This is very beneficial as it means you not only have specific discipline knowledge, but you have a wide understanding of other subject areas. Try not to forget all the knowledge and skills you obtained from previous study, and where you can, incorporate them into your studies here.

A guide to learning and teaching methods For most students the workload will involve a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, as well as time for independent and group preparatory work. The number of teaching sessions you will have will vary according to your subject and your level of study, but they normally occupy most days of the week. For the remainder of the time, you will be expected to study independently and prepare for assessments, so you will need to organise your time efficiently and develop good study habits.

Lectures – Many modules are built around a series of lectures. – Lectures usually take place in specially designed lecture theatres and offer a regular opportunity for the whole student group to be taught together. – Lectures are given by members of teaching team on a particular subject. – Often a number of different lecturers will contribute to a series covering a broad subject area. – Lectures provide a number of opportunities for you to learn. Key information is disseminated for further study. A framework of ideas can be established for exploration through further reading and research within the format of the lecture. Small break-out discussion groups help define, explain and apply complex information. – Notes from a lecture that will be posted on Moodle are essential, but they only represent a starting point. The notes will not contain all the information that you will cover in the lecture, so it is essential you attend and that you do any preparatory work. You will need to build on what you learn through your own reading and independent study.

Seminars Lectures are often supported by seminars. This is where a group of students and their tutor talkthrough ideas, question assumptions and discuss aspects of a topic in depth. Sometimes a student presentation or problem exercise provides the starting point for discussion. Again, it is essential you attend and that you do any preparatory work. Other key skills you will develop will include writing and working collaboratively.

Tutorials In a tutorial you can ask questions, check your understanding, solve problems and discuss work assignments individually with a tutor or in a small group. This encourages you to be self-reliant, analyse problems, think imaginatively, develop new ideas and argue your case.

Workshops Workshops are an important opportunity for you to develop practical competencies essential for your development and future employment.

Group work You may be involved in group work, in which you collaborate with other students on a presentation or project. This encourages you to take different roles and responsibilities, to share expertise, and tackle tasks that you would not be able to undertake alone. The ability to work effectively in groups is much sought after by employers.

Independent study Independent reading and activities, guided by lecturers, will enable you to prepare for – and follow up on – topics in greater depth. This is especially important when you are undertaking an assignment or preparing for an exam.

Much of your learning will depend on: – How you use the learning resources available to you. – The extent to which you participate in discussions and practical or group work. – How you tackle course assignments and assessments.

During your second and third year of undergraduate study, there is greater emphasis on seminars, tutorials and project work. In many disciplines, greater independence in the final year is combined with more in-depth study of a topic. So, as well as having a broad understanding of your subject and its context, you develop a specialist interest and expertise. This breadth and depth of study – and the skills that it nurtures – will prove invaluable in your future career.

Learning support We understand that starting anything new can seem overwhelming, so we put a lot of effort into ensuring that your first semesters go well and leave you feeling positive and confident. Some of the things we do to support you will be organised alongside your studies. You will have a thorough orientation programme to get you going. Your module tutor is your first point of contact for module specific learning. Your academic advisor can help you review how you are progressing across modules.

Learning resources It is important to use a range of resources, such as books and journals, rather than just articles that you have found on the internet. The University Library and Archive Service has many free resources, so do use them.

Assessment At the University, a range of assessments is designed to give you the best opportunities to demonstrate your learning and achievements. A variety of assessment methods measure different aspects of your progress. For example: – A project evaluates your capacity to apply knowledge and understanding. – An exam tests your grasp of the breadth of a subject. – A dissertation examines your ability to conduct research and sustain an original argument. – An essay encourages you to read widely to answer a specific question.

Other methods of assessment can also include: – Oral tests. – Poster presentations. – Practical competence tests. – Portfolios of material compiled during a course.

Top 10 tips to study success Remember that your university learning experience is unique to you. Students have different learning and experiences, so don’t compare yourself to others.

There are key practical things that you can do to organise your study and get the most out of it.

1. Read your course handbook. It contains valuable information on a variety of key topics such as: Term dates, Student support. Exam dates and resit dates.

Academic misconduct offences to avoid.

2. Read and keep revisiting your assignment briefs. Make sure that you keep reminding yourself of what will maximise the marks for an assignment by revisiting the assignment brief. Don’t be tempted to do extra work that will not get you any more marks. If you are unclear about the assignment brief, ask the module leader.

3. Plan your study time on a daily and weekly basis. By planning your study daily and weekly, you will keep on top of your work.

4. Check your teaching timetable weekly. Your teaching timetable is designed to be varied and provide you with a range of learning experiences. This means that your teaching timetable may be different from week to week.

5. Start your assignments early. Plan the work for your assignments to give you plenty of time to research and complete it. Don’t be tempted to leave it until a few days before it is due.

6. Attend all your lectures, seminars and workshops. By attending all your scheduled sessions, you will be better placed to access all the relevant information that will help you succeed in your studies.

7. Read your feedback. Make sure that you collect and read the feedback on your assignments. Using the feedback to help you undertake further assignments will help you improve your study skills and marks.

8. Take advantage of the learning resources available. Take advantage of the

University’s learning resources. These include tips on borrowing library resources and accessing them online. You can also book a training session on study tools.

Our Student Mentoring Programme can match you with an experienced fellow student from your programme who can share learning advice with you.

9. Don’t panic. If you are worried about anything to do with your course, don’t panic. Talk to your course or module leader or academic advisor.

10.Enjoy your studies. Being at university is a transformational experience.

As well as working hard, try to enjoy yourself.